Pressure monitoring system for wet barrel hydrant

ABSTRACT

A pressure monitoring system for a wet barrel hydrant includes an outer housing defining a sidewall shell and a cap coupled to the sidewall shell; a sensor housing defining a connector, a housing cavity, and an opening formed through the sensor housing and allowing access to the housing cavity, the connector configured to couple the pressure monitoring system to a wet barrel hydrant; and a base assembly coupled to the sidewall shell and defining a central support and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall extending from the central support towards the cap, the sensor housing coupled to the central support opposite the cylindrical wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/252,099, filed Jan. 18, 2019, which is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of fire hydrants. Morespecifically, this disclosure relates to a pressure monitoring systemattachable to a wet barrel hydrant and configured to monitor thepressure of water therein.

BACKGROUND

Fire hydrants are connected to fluid pipeline systems, such as municipalwater systems, and allow firefighters to access the water supply in thepipeline system. Wet barrel fire hydrants can define a hydrant cavitythat can be filled with water, or another fluid, even when the hydrantis not in operation. Typically, wet barrel hydrants can be found inregions where cold weather conditions are less common.

It can be desirable to monitor the water pressure in a water pipelinesystem. However, pressure monitors mounted to the pipeline below groundcan be difficult to access for maintenance or replacement. Furthermore,it can be desirable to monitor for leaks in a water pipeline system.However, like pressure monitors, it can be difficult to access leakdetection systems that are below ground. Typical leak detection systemsdo not constantly monitor for leaks, but rather monitor for leaks on afixed schedule—for example, once per day. As such, leaks can goundetected and can even worsen during the time between scheduled leakdetection cycles.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts off the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is a pressure monitoring system for a wet barrel hydrantcomprising a pressure sensor assembly comprising a pressure sensor and aconnector, the pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure of afluid received in the wet barrel hydrant, the connector configured toattach the pressure monitoring system to the wet barrel hydrant; amounting flange coupled to the pressure sensor assembly; a main PCBconfigured to process pressure data measured by the pressure sensor; anantenna configured to send a signal representative of the pressure data;and a housing coupled to the mounting flange, the housing enclosing theprocessor and the antenna.

Also disclosed is a pressure monitoring and leak detection systemcomprising a pressure monitoring subsystem comprising; a pressure sensorconfigured to measure the pressure of a fluid received in the wet barrelhydrant; a first processor configured to process pressure data measuredby the pressure sensor; and a first antenna configured to send apressure signal representative of the pressure data; and a leakdetection subsystem comprising; a vibration sensor configured to measurevibrations of the fluid received in the wet barrel hydrant; a secondprocessor configured to process vibration data measured by the vibrationsensor; and a second antenna configured to send a leak signalrepresentative of the vibration data, the second antenna incommunication with the first antenna.

Also disclosed is a method for using a pressure monitoring and leakdetection system comprising measuring the water pressure of waterreceived in a hydrant cavity of a wet barrel hydrant; processing thewater pressure data to determine whether an anomaly is present; runninga leak detection cycle when an anomaly is determined to be present todetermine whether a possible leak is present; and sending an alertsignal to a third party when a possible leak is determined to bepresent.

A pressure monitoring system for a wet barrel hydrant is disclosed, thepressure monitoring system comprising an outer housing defining asidewall shell and a cap coupled to the sidewall shell; a sensor housingdefining a connector, a housing cavity, and an opening formed throughthe sensor housing and allowing access to the housing cavity, theconnector configured to couple the pressure monitoring system to a wetbarrel hydrant; and a base assembly coupled to the sidewall shell anddefining a central support and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wallextending from the central support towards the cap, the sensor housingcoupled to the central support opposite the cylindrical wall.

Additionally, disclosed is a wet barrel fire hydrant comprising a barreldefining a top end, a side, and an interior hydrant cavity, the top enddefining a hydrant bore in fluid communication with the interior hydrantcavity, a nozzle extending from the side of the barrel; a pressuremonitoring subsystem coupled to the top end of the barrel and comprisinga pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a fluid receivedin the wet barrel fire hydrant, the pressure sensor defining a sensingend disposed in one of the hydrant bore and the interior hydrant cavity;and a leak detection subsystem coupled to the nozzle and comprising avibration sensor configured to measure vibrations in a pipeline systemconnected to the wet barrel fire hydrant.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure monitoring and leak detectionsystem mounted to a hydrant and comprising a pressure monitoringsubsystem and a leak detection subsystem, in accordance with one aspectof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensor assembly of thepressure monitoring subsystem of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of pressure sensor assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor assembly of FIG.2 mounted to the hydrant of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor assembly mountedto the hydrant, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor assembly of FIG.2 mounted to a base assembly of the pressure monitoring subsystem ofFIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is cross-sectional view of the base assembly of FIG. 6 mounted toa power assembly of the pressure monitoring subsystem of FIG. 1 takenalong line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an antenna assembly of the pressuremonitoring subsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure monitoring and leakdetection system of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure monitoring and leakdetection system of FIG. 1 mounted to the hydrant of FIG. 1, taken alongline 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for monitoringwater pressure and detecting leaks in a pipeline system, in accordancewith one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating another example process formonitoring water pressure and detecting leaks in a pipeline system, inaccordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed in the present application is a pressure monitoring system andassociated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Exampleaspects of the pressure monitoring system can comprise a connector forconnecting the pressure monitoring system to a wet barrel hydrant and apressure sensor for monitoring the pressure of water received in the wetbarrel hydrant. It would be understood by one of skill in the art thatthe disclosed pressure monitoring system is described in but a fewexemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology or descriptionshould be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of anyclaims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first aspect of a pressure monitoring and leakdetection system 100 according to the present disclosure. According toexample aspects, the pressure monitoring and leak detection system 100can comprise a pressure monitoring subsystem 110 (“PMS”) and a leakdetection subsystem 170 (“LDS”). As shown, each of the pressuremonitoring subsystem 110 and leak detection subsystem 170 can be mountedto a fire hydrant; for example, a wet barrel hydrant 180. The wet barrelhydrant 180 can define a barrel 182 and an interior hydrant cavity 484(shown in FIG. 4) defined by the barrel 182. Water, or another fluid,from a pipeline system (not shown) can be housed within the hydrantcavity 484. In example aspects, the pressure monitoring subsystem 110can be coupled to the wet barrel hydrant 180 at a top end 186 of thebarrel 182, and the leak detection subsystem 170 can be coupled to thewet barrel hydrant 180 at a side of the barrel 182. For example, the wetbarrel hydrant 180 can comprise one or more nozzles 188 extending fromthe barrel 182, and the leak detection subsystem 170 can be coupled to anozzle 188 extending from a left side 190 of the barrel 182, relative tothe orientation shown. The barrel 182 can further comprise an operationnut 192, which can be rotated to open and close a valve (not shown)housed within or below the barrel 182, such as a valve within the nozzle188. Opening and closing the valve can supply or cut off water flow,respectively, to the wet barrel hydrant 180.

FIG. 2 illustrates an aspect of a pressure sensor assembly 220 accordingto the present disclosure. As shown, the pressure sensor assembly 220can comprise a pressure sensor 222 and a pressure sensor housing 230.The pressure sensor 222 can be, for example, a piezo-resistive straingauge; a capacitive gauge, an electromagnetic gauge, a piezoelectricdevice, or any other suitable device known in the art for measuringpressure. Example aspects of the pressure sensor housing 230 can definean interior housing cavity 232 for receiving the pressure sensor 222.The housing cavity 232 can define a center axis 236, as shown. A portionof the pressure sensor 222 can extend through an opening 238 in thehousing cavity 232 to measure the pressure of water outside of thehousing cavity 232. In other aspects, the pressure sensor can berecessed into the housing cavity 232 and can measure the pressure ofwater received within the housing cavity 232. Example aspects of thepressure sensor housing 230 can further comprise a connector 240 forconnecting the pressure sensor assembly 220 to the wet barrel hydrant180 (shown in FIG. 1). In other aspects, the connector 240 can beconfigured to connect the pressure sensor assembly 220 to anothersuitable device, such as, for example, a pipe, a valve, etc. Theconnector 240 can be a threaded flange 242, as shown, and a threading244 can be formed on an outer surface 246 of the threaded flange 242;however, in other aspects, the connector 240 can be any other suitablefastener known in the art, including, but not limited to, a clip, rivet,weld, adhesive, and the like. Furthermore, in other aspects, thethreading 244 can be formed on an inner surface 248 of the threadedflange 242. As shown in the present FIG. 2, in some aspects, an annulargroove 252 can be formed between the inner surface 248 of the threadedflange 242 and an outer surface 234 of the housing cavity 232.Furthermore, the pressure sensor housing 230 can define one or moremounting bores 254 extending into a locking disc 256 of the pressuresensor housing 230. The mounting bores 254 can be blind holes, as shown,or can be through-holes. According to example aspects, the locking disc256 can be oriented above the connector 240, relative to the orientationshown.

Example aspects of the pressure sensor 222 can be substantiallycentrally located within the housing cavity 232. The pressure sensor 222can define a sensing end 224 extending through the opening 238 and awire end 226 opposite the sensing end 224 and housed within the housingcavity 232. The sensing end 224 can be in contact with the water, orother fluid, in the hydrant cavity 484 (shown in FIG. 4) and can beconfigured to measure the pressure of the water. A pressure sensor wire258 can be connected to the wire end 226 of the pressure sensor 222 andcan be configured to electronically communicate pressure data measuredby the pressure sensor 222 to an auxiliary PCB 260 (printed circuitboard), as shown. Furthermore, example aspects of the auxiliary PCB cancomprise one or more pins 262 configured to electrically connect thepressure sensor wire 258 to a main PCB 646 (shown in FIG. 6). The pins262 can be positioned to connect to the main PCB 646 at a desiredlocation. For example, as shown, the pins 262 can be offset from thecenter axis 236. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the pressuresensor assembly 220. As shown, the pressure sensor assembly 220 candefine a generally annular shape about the center axis 236. Also, in thepresent aspect, the auxiliary PCB 260 can define a generally hourglassshape. The shape of the auxiliary PCB can allow the pins 262 to beoffset from the center axis 236 to a desired location on the auxiliaryPCB 260, such that the pins 262 can be positioned to connect to the mainPCB 646 where desired. In other aspects, the auxiliary PCB 260 candefine any suitable shape can allow the pins 262 to be positioned asneeded to connect to the main PCB 464 at a desired location.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pressure sensor assembly 220 mounted to the topend 186 of the barrel 182 of the wet barrel hydrant 180, according to anaspect of the disclosure. As shown, a hydrant flange 492 can extend fromthe top end 186 of the barrel 182. The hydrant flange 492 can define ahydrant bore 494 therethrough, and the hydrant bore 494 can be in fluidcommunication with the hydrant cavity 484. The threaded flange 242 ofthe pressure sensor assembly 220 can be received within the hydrant bore494 and can be configured to threadably mate with a threaded bore wall496 to couple the pressure sensor assembly 220 to the top end 186 of thewet barrel hydrant 180. In some aspects, an O-ring 464 can be positionedadjacent a proximal end 450 of the threaded flange 242 to provide a sealand a buffer between the hydrant flange 492 and the locking disc 256. Inanother aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the wet barrel hydrant 180 candefine a threaded mounting nut 598 mounted within the hydrant bore 494at the top end 186 of the barrel 182. In the present aspect, thethreading 244 can be defined on the inner surface 248 of the threadedflange 242, and the threaded flange 242 can be configured to mate withthe threaded mounting nut 598. As shown, in example aspects, thethreaded flange 242 can be received within the hydrant bore 494 betweenthe threaded mounting nut 598 and the hydrant flange 492. The threadedflange 242 can be configured to threadably mate with the threadedmounting nut 598 to secure the pressure sensor assembly 220 to the topend 186 of the wet barrel hydrant 180.

FIG. 6 illustrates the pressure sensor assembly 220 mounted to a baseassembly 630 of the pressure monitoring subsystem 110 (shown in FIG. 1),according to an example aspect. As shown, the base assembly 630 cancomprise a central support 632 and a cylindrical wall 638 extendingaxially from a peripheral edge 634 of the central support 632. The baseassembly 630 can further define a base recess 635 that can be configuredto receive the locking disc 256 of the pressure sensor assembly 220. Asshown, one or more fasteners 640 can extend through mounting bores 636of the central support 632 and can engage the mounting bores 254 of thepressure sensor assembly 220 to couple the base assembly 630 to thepressure sensor assembly 220. In some aspects, coupling the pressuresensor assembly 220 to the base assembly 630 can comprise integrally ormonolithically forming the base assembly 630 with the pressure sensorassembly 220. According to example aspects, a PCB mounting ring 642 canbe supported on the central support 632 and the main PCB 646 can bereceived on the PCB mounting ring 642, as shown. According to exampleaspects, the cylindrical wall 638 can surround the main PCB 646 to aidin protecting the main PCB 646 from external factors, such as moisture,dust particles, dirt particles, and the like. Example aspects of themain PCB 646 can be secured to the PCB mounting ring 642 by one or morefasteners (not shown), such as, for example, clips, screws, adhesives,and the like. Furthermore, example aspects of the PCB mounting ring 642can comprise one or more positioning rods 644 that can aid in properlypositioning the main PCB 646 on the PCB mounting ring 642.

As shown, distal ends of the pins 262 of the auxiliary PCB 260 canengage the main PCB 646. In the present aspect, as shown, the auxiliaryPCB 260 can comprise an additional pin 262 substantially aligned withthe center axis 236 and connected to the main PCB 646 at a desiredlocation. The pressure sensor 222 can communicate pressure data to themain PCB 646 through the pressure sensor wire 258 and the auxiliary PCB260. In some aspects, the pressure sensor 222 can continuallycommunicate pressure data to the main PCB 646, while in other aspects,the pressure sensor 222 can communicate pressure data only when ananomaly is detected. The main PCB 646 can then evaluate the pressuredata to determine whether a concern is present. In instances wherein thepressure data presents a concern, the main PCB 646 can electricallytrigger an antenna 854 (shown in FIG. 8) to send an alert signal to athird party (e.g., an external operations center), as will be describedin further detail below.

According to example aspects, a potting compound, such as silicone,epoxy resin, polyurethane, or any other suitable potting compound canfill a portion of the base assembly 630 to cover the main PCB 646.Covering the main PCB 646 with a potting compound can protect the mainPCB 646 from moisture, corrosion, and vibrations, can aid in heatdissipation, and can provide other benefits. In some aspects, theauxiliary PCB 260, the pins 262, and/or other electronic components ofthe pressure monitoring subsystem 110 can be protected from externalfactors by potting.

Example aspects of the base assembly 630 can further comprise an annularmounting flange 650 extending radially outward from the central support632. An annular groove 654 can be formed between the annular mountingflange 650 and threaded flange 242 of the pressure sensor assembly 220.In example aspects, the hydrant flange 492 (shown in FIG. 4) of the wetbarrel hydrant 180 (shown in FIG. 1) can be received within the annulargroove 654, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Furthermore, in example aspects,the annular mounting flange 650 can comprise on or moreradially-extending hydrant mounting bores 652, as shown. One or morefasteners, such as the cone point screws 656 depicted herein, can bereceived within the hydrant mounting bores 652 and can engage thehydrant flange 492 to further aid in securing the pressure monitoringassembly to the wet barrel hydrant 180. Further, according to exampleaspects, security screws 674 can be received within the hydrant mountingbores 652 behind the cone point screws 656. The security screws 674 aredescribed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure monitoring subsystem 110 (shown inFIG. 1) can further comprise a power assembly 740 mounted to the baseassembly 630. The power assembly 740 can comprise a power source, suchas a battery pack 742, as shown, for powering various components of thepressure monitoring subsystem 110. For example, the auxiliary and mainPCBs 260,646, the pressure sensor 222, and the antenna 854 (shown inFIG. 8) can all be powered by the battery pack 742. Example aspects ofthe power assembly 740 can further comprise a battery housing 744 withinwhich the battery pack 742 can be received. The battery housing 744 cancomprise one or more standoffs 746, as shown, which can aid in properlypositioning the battery pack 742 within the battery housing 744. In someaspects, the battery pack 742 can be potted in place. For example, thebattery housing 744 can be partially or completely filled with a pottingcompound, such as, for example, silicone, epoxy resin, polyurethane, orany other suitable potting compound. The potting compound can beconfigured to protect the battery pack 742 from moisture, corrosion,vibrations, to aid in heat dissipation, and to provide other benefits.According to example aspects, the battery housing 744 can be positionedat and rest upon a distal end 739 of the cylindrical wall 638 of thebase assembly 630. Furthermore, a power connector 748 can be providedfor electrically connecting the battery pack 742 to the main PCB 646. Inone aspect, as shown, a battery wire 750 can connect to the powerconnector 748 and a PCB wire 747 can connect to the power connector 748to allow power to be transferred from the battery pack 742 to the mainPCB 646. Example aspects of the power connector 748 can be received inan annular gap 982 (shown in FIG. 9) defined between the battery housing744 and an outer housing 980 (shown in FIG. 9) of the pressuremonitoring subsystem 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates an antenna assembly 850 of the pressure monitoringsubsystem 110 (shown in FIG. 1). As shown, the antenna assembly 850 cancomprise an antenna board 852 and the antenna 854 mounted on the antennaboard 852. The antenna 854 can be configured to send signalsrepresentative of the pressure data measured by the pressure sensor 222(shown in FIG. 2). Example aspects of the antenna 854 can besubstantially horizontal-facing when the pressure monitoring subsystem110 is mounted to the wet barrel hydrant 180 (shown in FIG. 1); however,in other aspects, the antenna 854 can be substantially vertical-facingor can face any other desired direction, including one or more antennas854 facing multiple directions. Furthermore, as shown, the antenna 854can comprise an antenna wire 856 for electrically connecting the antenna854 to the main PCB 646 (shown in FIG. 6). According to example aspects,the battery pack 742 (shown in FIG. 7), pressure sensor 222, auxiliaryPCB 260 (shown in FIG. 2), main PCB 646, and the antenna 854 can all bein electrical communication with each other. In some aspects, portionsof the antenna assembly 850 can be protected from various externalfactors by a potting compound, such as the potting compounds describedabove.

FIG. 9 illustrates an assembled view of the pressure monitoringsubsystem 110. As shown, the pressure monitoring subsystem 110 furthercan comprise a sidewall shell 960 and a cap 970 for enclosing variouscomponents of the pressure monitoring subsystem 110, including, forexample, the antenna assembly 850, the power assembly 740, the baseassembly 630, and portions of the pressure sensor assembly 220. In thepresent aspect, the cap 970 and the sidewall shell 960 can togetherdefine the outer housing 980 that can enclose at least the main PCB 646and the antenna 854. In example aspects, the antenna assembly 850 can bemounted to the cap 970 proximate to a distal end 945 of the batteryhousing 744, as shown. Example aspects of the cap 970 can be formed froma non-ferrous material, so that the material of the cap 970 does notinterfere with the ability of the antenna 854 to send signals to thethird party. For example, the cap 970 can be formed from a plasticmaterial, or any other suitable non-ferrous material having a sufficientrigidity for protecting the antenna 854 and other interior components ofthe pressure monitoring subsystem 110. Furthermore, in example aspects,the cap 970 can define a fastener, such as, for example, one or moreclips 972, for engaging a mating fastener of the sidewall shell 960,such as, for example, an interior annular ridge 962, to secure the cap970 to the sidewall shell 960. In other aspects, any other suitablefastener know in the art can be used, including, but not limited to,clips, snaps, adhesives, and the like. In still other aspects, the cap970 can be monolithically formed form with the sidewall shell 960.

Example aspects of the sidewall shell 960 can also be formed from amaterial having a sufficient rigidity for protecting interior componentsof the pressure monitoring subsystem 110. In some aspects, the sidewallshell 960 can be formed from a ferrous material, such as, for example,stainless steel or iron. In other aspects, the sidewall shell 960 can beformed from a non-ferrous material, such as, for example, aluminum orplastic, such as if it is desired to align the antenna 850 to transmitsignal through the sidewall shell 960. Example aspects of the sidewallshell can define a first shoulder 963 configured to engage the batteryhousing 744 to hold the battery housing 744 against the base assembly630, as shown. Furthermore, as shown, the sidewall shell 960 cancomprise shell mounting bores 964 formed proximate the mounting flange650 of the base assembly 630, and which can extend from an outer surface966 of the sidewall shell 960 to an inner surface 968 of the sidewallshell 960. The shell mounting bores 964 of the sidewall shell 960 can beconfigured to align with the hydrant mounting bores 652 of the mountingflange 650, and a fastener, such as the security screws 674 illustratedherein, can be configured to extending through each corresponding pairof shell and hydrant mounting bores 964,652 to secure the sidewall shell960 to the base assembly 630. According to example aspects, the sidewallshell can define a second shoulder 965 configured to engage the mountingflange 650 of the base assembly 630, which can aid in aligning the shellmounting bores 964 with the hydrant mounting bores 652. In some aspects,the security screws 674 can contact the cone point screws 656 to movethe screws 656 inwards in the hydrant mounting bores 652. In exampleaspects, the sidewall shell 960 can be selectively removed for replacingthe battery pack 742 and/or for repairing or replacing other interiorcomponents of the pressure monitoring subsystem 110.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pressure monitoringand leak detection system 100 mounted to the wet barrel hydrant 180,take along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. As shown, the leak detection subsystem170 can be attached to the nozzle 188 on the left side 190 of the wetbarrel hydrant 180, relative to the orientation shown. Example aspectsof the leak detection subsystem 170 can be substantially similar to thehydrant cap leak detector disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No.16/121,136, filed Sep. 4, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Other known hydrant cap leak detectorscan be utilized in other aspects. As shown, the leak detection subsystem170 can comprise a vibration sensor 1072. Example aspects of thevibration sensor 1072 can be housed in a leak detection housing 1074. Asshown, the leak detection housing 1074 can be formed as a nozzle cap forthe nozzle 188. In example aspects, the leak detection housing 1074 cancomprise a threaded connector 1076 for mounting the leak detectionhousing to the nozzle 188. The vibration sensor 1072 can be configuredto detect leaks within pipeline system by monitoring vibrations in thepipeline system. For example, the vibration sensor 1072 can monitorvibrations in the metal of pipes comprised by the pipeline system. Thevibration readings from the vibration sensor 1072 can be processed by aleak detection PCB (not shown) to determine whether a leak is present,and a leak detection antenna (not shown) can transmit a signalrepresentative of the leak detection data to an external source. Inexample aspects, the leak detection subsystem 170 can be configured inan operating mode, wherein the leak detection subsystem 170 can bemonitoring vibrations (i.e., running a leak detection cycle), and a restmode, wherein the leak detection subsystem 170 is not monitoringvibrations.

In one aspect, a method for using the pressure monitoring subsystem 110can comprise measuring the water pressure of water received in thehydrant cavity 484 of the wet barrel hydrant 180, processing the waterpressure data to determine whether an anomaly is present, and sending analert signal when an anomaly is determined to be present. In someaspects, sending an alert signal can comprise sending an alert signal tothe leak detection subsystem 170. In other aspects, sending an alertsignal can comprise sending an alert signal to a remote operationscenter, or another third party. Furthermore, according to exampleaspects, processing the water pressure data can comprise sending thewater pressure data measured by the pressure sensor 222 to a PCB (suchas the auxiliary PCB 260 and/or main PCB 646), processing the waterpressure data with the PCB, and communicating the water pressure data tothe antenna 854.

According to example aspects, the pressure monitoring subsystem 110(“PMS”) can transmit signals to the leak detection subsystem 170 (“LDS”)and/or the leak detection subsystem 170 can transmit signals to thepressure monitoring subsystem 110. For example, as illustrated in FIG.11, in one aspect, a method for using the pressure monitoring and leakdetection system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) can comprise a first step 1102 ofmeasuring the water pressure of water received in the hydrant cavity 484(shown in FIG. 4) of a wet barrel hydrant 180 (shown in FIG. 1) with thepressure monitoring subsystem 110 (shown in FIG. 1), and a second step1104 can comprise processing the water pressure data to determinewhether an anomaly is present. If an anomaly is not detected, a thirdstep 1106 can comprise continuing to measure the water pressure asnormal. However, if an anomaly is detected, an alternate third step 1108can comprise alerting the leak detection subsystem 170 (shown in FIG.1), either directly from the pressure monitoring subsystem 110 orindirectly through a third party, such as a remote operations centeroperated by a utility company. A fourth step 1110 can comprise running aleak detection cycle with the leak detection subsystem 170 and a fifthstep 1112 can comprise processing the leak detection data with the leakdetection subsystem 170 or at the remote operations center to determinewhether a leak is present. If a leak is not detected, a sixth step 1114can comprise continuing to run leak detection cycles as regularlyscheduled. In another aspect, wherein a pressure anomaly is detected buta possible leak is not detected, an alert signal indicative of theseresults can be sent to the third party. If a possible leak is detected,an alternate sixth step 1116 can comprise sending an alert signal to thepressure monitoring subsystem 110, and a seventh step 1118 can compriserunning additional diagnostics with the pressure monitoring subsystem110 to further evaluate the possible leak. In some aspects, an eighthstep 1120 can comprise also sending an alert signal to a third party,such as the remote operations center, when a possible leak is detected.The eighth step 1120 can be performed in tandem with or after the sixthstep 1116, or in some aspects, can be performed instead of the sixthstep 1116 and seventh step 1118.

In another aspect, the series of steps described above can besubstantially reversed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a method forusing the pressure monitoring and leak detection system 100 can comprisea first step 1202 of running a leak detection cycle as regularlyscheduled with the leak detection subsystem 170 (shown in FIG. 1), and asecond step 1204 can comprise processing the leak detection data todetermine whether a leak is present. If a leak is not detected, a thirdstep 1206 can comprise continuing to run leak detection cycles asregularly scheduled. However, if a possible leak is detected, analternate third step 1208 can comprise alerting the pressure monitoringsubsystem 110 (shown in FIG. 1) either directly from the leak detectionsubsystem 170 or indirectly through the third party (e.g., a remoteoperations center operated by a utility company). A fourth step 1210 cancomprise measuring the water pressure of the water within the hydrantcavity 484 (shown in FIG. 4) with the pressure monitoring subsystem 110,and a fifth step 1212 can comprise processing the water pressure datawith the pressure monitoring subsystem 110 or at the remote operationscenter to determine whether an anomaly is present. If an anomaly is notdetected, a sixth step 1214 can comprise continuing to measure the waterpressure as normal. In another aspect, if a possible leak is detectedbut a pressure anomaly is not detected, an alert signal indicative ofthese results can be sent to the third party. If a pressure anomaly isdetected, an alternate sixth step 1216 can comprise sending an alertsignal to the leak detection subsystem 170, and a seventh step 1218 cancomprise running an additional leak detection cycle to further evaluatethe possible leak. In some aspects, an eighth step 1220 can comprisealso sending an alert signal to a third party, such as a remoteoperations center, when an anomaly is detected. The eighth step 1220 canbe performed in tandem with or after the sixth step 1216, or in someaspects, can be performed instead of the sixth step 1216 and seventhstep 1218.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A pressure monitoring system for a wetbarrel hydrant comprising: an outer housing defining a sidewall shelland a cap coupled to the sidewall shell; a sensor housing defining aconnector, a housing cavity, and an opening formed through the sensorhousing and allowing access to the housing cavity, the connectorconfigured to couple the pressure monitoring system to a wet barrelhydrant; and a base assembly coupled to the sidewall shell and defininga central support and a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall extendingfrom the central support towards the cap, the sensor housing coupled tothe central support opposite the cylindrical wall.
 2. The pressuremonitoring system of claim 1, wherein the central support defines amounting bore aligned with a mounting bore of the sensor housing, thepressure monitoring system further comprising a fastener, the fastenerextending through the mounting bore of the central support and into themounting bore of the sensor housing to secure the base assembly to thesensor housing.
 3. The pressure monitoring system of claim 1, whereinthe sidewall shell defines an upper end and a lower end, the cap coupledto the sidewall shell at the upper end, the base assembly coupled to thesidewall shell at the lower end.
 4. The pressure monitoring system ofclaim 3, wherein the pressure monitoring system defines a center axis,the base assembly comprising a mounting flange extending radiallyoutward from the central support, the mounting flange coupled to thesidewall shell at the lower end.
 5. The pressure monitoring system ofclaim 4, wherein the sidewall shell defines a shell mounting bore andthe mounting flange defines a hydrant mounting bore aligned with theshell mounting bore, the pressure monitoring system further comprising asecurity screw extending through the shell mounting bore and into thehydrant mounting bore to secure the sidewall shell to the base assembly.6. The pressure monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the pressuremonitoring system further comprises a cone point screw received in thehydrant mounting bore, the security screw configured to engage the conepoint screw to move the cone point screw radially inward towards thesensor housing.
 7. The pressure monitoring system of claim 6, wherein anannular groove is defined between the mounting flange and the sensorhousing, the cone point screw extending into the annular groove.
 8. Thepressure monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising an antennaassembly comprising an antenna board and an antenna mounted to theantenna board, the antenna board mounted to the cap.
 9. The pressuremonitoring system of claim 8, wherein the sidewall shell comprises ametal material and the cap comprises a plastic material.
 10. Thepressure monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a batteryhousing configured to receive a battery pack therein, the batteryhousing engaging the cylindrical wall distal to the central support. 11.The pressure monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the sidewall shelldefines a shoulder configured to engage the battery housing to retainthe battery housing against the cylindrical wall of the base assembly.12. The pressure monitoring system of claim 1, wherein: the cap definesa clip extending axially towards the base assembly; the sidewall shelldefines an interior annular ridge extending radially inward; and theclip engages the interior annular ridge to secure the cap to thesidewall shell.
 13. A wet barrel fire hydrant comprising: a barreldefining a top end, a side, and an interior hydrant cavity, the top enddefining a hydrant bore in fluid communication with the interior hydrantcavity, a nozzle extending from the side of the barrel; a pressuremonitoring subsystem coupled to the top end of the barrel and comprisinga pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a fluid receivedin the wet barrel fire hydrant, the pressure sensor defining a sensingend disposed in one of the hydrant bore and the interior hydrant cavity;and a leak detection subsystem coupled to the nozzle and comprising avibration sensor configured to measure vibrations in a pipeline systemconnected to the wet barrel fire hydrant.
 14. The wet barrel firehydrant of claim 13, wherein: the pressure monitoring subsystemcomprising a threaded flange; the hydrant bore defines a threaded borewall; and the threaded flange engages the threaded bore wall to securethe pressure monitoring subsystem to the top end of the barrel.
 15. Thewet barrel fire hydrant of claim 14, wherein: the pressure monitoringsubsystem further comprises a mounting flange; an annular groove isdefined between the mounting flange and the threaded flange; a hydrantflange extends from the top end of the barrel; and the hydrant flange isdisposed in the annular groove.
 16. The wet barrel fire hydrant of claim15, wherein the mounting flange defines a hydrant mounting bore, and acone point screw is received within the hydrant mounting bore andengages the hydrant flange to further secure the pressure monitoringsubsystem to the top end of the barrel.
 17. The wet barrel fire hydrantof claim 14, wherein the pressure monitoring subsystem comprises asensor housing, the sensor housing defining the threaded flange andfurther defining a housing cavity and an opening allowing access to thehousing cavity, the pressure sensor partially received in the housingcavity and extending through the opening, the sensing end orientedexternal to the housing cavity.
 18. The wet barrel fire hydrant of claim13, further comprising a threaded mounting nut mounted within thehydrant bore, the pressure monitoring subsystem comprising a threadedflange, the threaded flange engaging the threaded mounting nut to securethe pressure monitoring subsystem to the top end of the barrel.
 19. Thewet barrel fire hydrant of claim 13, wherein: the pressure monitoringsubsystem comprises a first antenna configured to send a pressure signalrepresentative of the pressure; the leak detection subsystem comprisinga second antenna configured to send a leak signal representative of thevibrations; and the second antenna is in communication with the firstantenna.
 20. The wet barrel fire hydrant of claim 19, wherein: thepressure monitoring subsystem comprises a sidewall shell and a cap; thecap comprises a non-ferrous material; the first antenna is coupled to anantenna board; and the antenna board is mounted to the cap.